Marketing Without the Marketing
201 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsMarketing does not have to be pushy, aggressive, and sales-y. Respectful, ethical marketing strategies are more in line with the expectations of consumers anyway.
Hosted by Michael Boezi of Control Mouse Media, LLC https://controlmousemedia.com
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Episodes
Read Me Out...?
March 13, 2024 09:55 - 6 minutes - 19.2 MBLaunching a new single today (3/13) has me contemplating the future of this podcast. Should I keep going or would you rather just "Read Me Out?" Give a listen and let me know. The song is available in all streaming platforms & Bandcamp. The post Read Me Out…? appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
The Only Three Platforms That Will Currently Help You with Organic Reach (Episode 207)
September 19, 2022 10:19 - 11 minutes - 18.7 MBOf the major platforms, there are only three that are motivated to help you put you in front of new people right now. Given how difficult is is to build an audience, should you accept the help and try one of them? The post The Only Three Platforms That Will Help You with Organic Reach appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Maintaining Control of Your IP (Episode 206)
August 29, 2022 10:49 - 9 minutes - 14.9 MBIf you hire an outside agency or freelancer to create or publish content, are they up on how to manage and protect your IP? Here's a cautionary tale that comes up far too frequently in my work with clients. The post Maintaining Control of Your IP appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
I'm Leaving (Episode 205)
April 22, 2022 08:22 - 8 minutes - 12.4 MBGood or bad, transitions are the interesting parts of life. And I'm definitely in a transitional period at the moment. With that, here's an announcement... The post I’m Leaving appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
A Discount Is Not a Gift (Episode 204)
December 13, 2021 11:01 - 8 minutes - 12 MBThe nuances matter. Even if you're genuine about it, are you unintentionally signaling that you're not trustworthy? I hope not. I also explain why I haven't been publishing as many episodes lately. The post A Discount Is Not a Gift appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
2 Ways to Get 3 Points (Episode 203)
October 25, 2021 10:25 - 6 minutes - 11.3 MBThe NBA is back as of last week, and it got me thinking about a metaphor that we can apply to our own work. What's your style of play? The post 2 Ways to Get 3 Points appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Right to a Response (Episode 202)
August 23, 2021 10:01 - 9 minutes - 15.2 MBWhen someone sends you an unsolicited email, do you owe them a response? The post Right to a Response appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
I Love Your Blog Post (Episode 201)
August 09, 2021 10:01 - 6 minutes - 11.3 MBMy blog can't be this great, can it? If I were to listen to the lies of scammers, I might start to believe that my blog is a must-read. I sincerely doubt that's true though. The post I Love Your Blog Post appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
The Digital Representation of You (Episode 200)
July 26, 2021 10:01 - 9 minutes - 15.2 MBI describe my work as creating "The Digital Representation of You." In 200 episodes of this podcast, in my client work, and my new project, Consider the Source, I am rooting for your best ideas to make a positive impact on the world. The post The Digital Representation of You (Episode 200) appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Three Marketing Quiz Types and Their Applications (Episode 199)
July 12, 2021 10:07 - 7 minutes - 13.2 MBThere are 3 different types of quizzes that you can use in marketing. Let's look at the practical uses of each type and how to set goals, choose question types, and deliver meaningful results. The post Three Marketing Quiz Types and Their Applications appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
No One Cares About Us (Episode 198)
June 21, 2021 10:01 - 7 minutes - 12.9 MBSocial media is a lie. It promises a podium. But instead, it hires you to be unpaid labor. Can you still get something out of it? Sure, but we have to see through the misconceptions to find a smart strategy. The post No One Cares About Us appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Designing the Perfect Quiz for Lead Generation (Episode 197)
June 07, 2021 10:07 - 7 minutes - 12.4 MBLike anything in content marketing, a marketing quiz has to be well-designed, well-constructed, and well-presented in order to be effective. Here are the 3 steps to create an effective marketing quiz. The post Designing the Perfect Quiz for Lead Generation appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
LinkedIn Is a Tough Scroll (Episode 196)
May 24, 2021 10:01 - 6 minutes - 11.2 MBScroll through LinkedIn, and it's cringe after cringe. A never-ending stack of performative, self-aggrandizing humble brags. It's done in earnest, I'm sure. But in expressing our genuine excitement, is it coming off the wrong way? Let's audit my feed. The post LinkedIn Is a Tough Scroll appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
How to Ruin a Good Customer Relationship (Episode 195)
May 10, 2021 10:10 - 5 minutes - 9.6 MBIt takes years to build a trusted relationship with a customer. It takes one bad decision to lose it all in a split-second. The post How to Ruin a Good Customer Relationship appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Four Principles of an Effective Marketing Quiz (Episode 194)
April 26, 2021 10:02 - 5 minutes - 10.4 MBA successful marketing quiz serves the user first and foremost. How do we design a quiz to solve a customer issue and think beyond just generating leads? The post Four Principles of an Effective Marketing Quiz appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Why Quizzes Are Good for Content Marketing (Episode 193)
April 12, 2021 10:04 - 8 minutes - 13.5 MBPeople like to talk about themselves. Let them. If you can open the conversation, you can start building the trust that you need to ultimately lead a customer to choose you. The post Why Quizzes Are Good for Content Marketing appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
The Ambient Awareness Test (Episode 192)
March 29, 2021 10:01 - 6 minutes - 11.7 MBThere's one question you can ask to find out if your messaging is getting through. I call this The Ambient Awareness Test. The post The Ambient Awareness Test appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Stop Mimicking What Marketers Do (Episode 191)
March 15, 2021 10:01 - 5 minutes - 10 MBHow will we get our good ideas across if we are turning people off in the way we present ourselves to the world? Are we inadvertently giving people the wrong impression? The post Stop Mimicking What Marketers Do appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Finding Your Media Fit (Episode 190)
March 01, 2021 11:01 - 9 minutes - 15.4 MBYour "media fit" is at the intersection of 1) what you can produce and 2) where your audience congregates. Given that, what's the best platform for you and your brand? The post Finding Your Media Fit appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
How to Change My Mind: An Experiment
February 22, 2021 11:00 - 41 seconds - 4.4 MBSpeaking with clarity and empathy works. Here's a great example of that: How Jessica Valenti changed my mind about cancel culture. The post How to Change My Mind appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Consider the Source: Extending the Scope of this Show (Episode 189)
February 15, 2021 11:15 - 9 minutes - 13.5 MBIf we want to create positive change in the world, it will take strong ideas expressed with clarity and empathy. To that end, I'm launching a new project called "Consider the Source" that audits the way we consume, share, and produce media. The post Consider the Source: Extending the Scope of this Show appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Using a Podcast to Create an Audiobook (Episode 188)
February 01, 2021 11:01 - 9 minutes - 15.6 MBWith a little planning up front, you can use your podcast to generate an audiobook: A new format you can sell for minimal ancillary effort. The post Using a Podcast to Create an Audiobook appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Using a Podcast to Create an Audiobook (Episode 187)
February 01, 2021 11:01 - 9 minutes - 15.6 MBWith a little planning up front, you can use your podcast to generate an audiobook: A new format you can sell for minimal ancillary effort. The post Using a Podcast to Create an Audiobook appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Turning the Page (Episode 187)
January 25, 2021 11:07 - 8 minutes - 14.3 MBIt feels like a chance to reset. How will that affect our media diet - what we consume, what we share, and what we produce? The post Turning the Page appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Promoting and Syndicating Your Podcast (Episode 186)
January 11, 2021 11:11 - 8 minutes - 14.3 MBIn promoting your podcast, it pays to be efficient. Automation is a key part of this, in syndication, social promotion, and email marketing. Here's how to get set up. The post Promoting and Syndicating Your Podcast appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Setting Up and Launching Your Podcast (Episode 185)
December 28, 2020 11:03 - 9 minutes - 15.4 MBLaunching a podcast is different than a blog. Here's how to do a proper launch to take advantage of Apple's "New & Noteworthy" category. The post Setting Up and Launching Your Podcast appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Scripting and Recording Your Podcast (Episode 184)
December 14, 2020 11:01 - 8 minutes - 13.4 MBAnyone can start a podcast. What would yours be like? Let's take a look at what it would take to get started, including a show concept and format, a USB mic, and free recording software. The post Scripting and Recording Your Podcast appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Podcasting as a Strategy for Writers (Episode 183)
November 30, 2020 11:01 - 8 minutes - 13.8 MBPodcasting offers the ability to create a virtual "rolling book tour" to find new readers and turn them into fans. It's simple to set up and run this strategy, even if you've never worked with audio before. Here's an overview. The post Podcasting as a Strategy for Writers appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Why Black Lives Matter Is Such a Powerful Slogan (Episode 182)
November 23, 2020 11:17 - 8 minutes - 14.3 MBLooking at it through a media lens, Black Lives Matter is precise and powerful as a slogan. It's direct, efficient, and airtight as an assertion. Let's unpack the phrase to understand why it works so well. The post Why Black Lives Matter Is Such a Powerful Slogan appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Now We Know (Episode 181)
November 09, 2020 11:09 - 9 minutes - 15.5 MBIt feels good to celebrate, with good reason. But record turnout revealed something about the coming challenges we face as a culture. The post Now We Know appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
What Happens Tomorrow? (Episode 180)
November 02, 2020 11:10 - 6 minutes - 11.7 MBMy hat's off to all of you who shoved aside intentional roadblocks to make your voice heard. Whatever happens tomorrow, thank you all the same. The post What Happens Tomorrow? appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Don't Take My Advice (Episode 179)
October 26, 2020 10:06 - 5 minutes - 9.94 MBYou don't need my help. You don't need anyone's help. The post Don’t Take My Advice appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Empathy, Energy, and Ethics (Episode 178)
October 19, 2020 10:09 - 8 minutes - 14.6 MBA self-audit is not a bad thing to do, whether you are starting a business, freelancing, or seeking a job. The post Empathy, Energy, and Ethics appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
We Need Marketing More Than Ever (Episode 177)
October 05, 2020 10:05 - 6 minutes - 11.3 MBIf we want to make change in the world, our best ideas need to be expressed with clarity, empathy, and a genuine desire to form a real connection. The post We Need Marketing More Than Ever appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Refocusing When Focusing Is Difficult (Episode 176)
September 28, 2020 10:07 - 7 minutes - 12.2 MBAfter a hiatus, I relaunch Marketing Without the Marketing with a new format, new focus, and new flavor. The post Refocusing When Focusing Is Difficult appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Closing Up Shop (Episode 175)
June 01, 2020 10:01 - 11 minutes - 18 MB175 episodes is a long run. With all that's going on, it's safe to say that someone other than me should have the microphone. So I'll be closing up shop for awhile. Here's my reasoning, and a look into the foggy future. The post Closing Up Shop appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Creating Urgency: Online Store Strategy 201 (Episode 174)
May 18, 2020 09:19 - 10 minutes - 17.7 MBTime is running out! Perceived urgency can be a strong motivator to make a purchase. Here's how we can carefully use urgency as a strategy, and why this is an advantage for small businesses over larger competitors. The post Creating Urgency: Online Store Strategy 201 appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Employing Scarcity: Online Store Strategy 201 (Episode 173)
May 04, 2020 09:04 - 11 minutes - 18.1 MBWhen a customer is ready to make a purchase, there are only two strategies you can use to gently influence them to complete the sale: Scarcity and urgency. Here's a rundown of all the ways to use SCARCITY to up your conversion rates. The post Employing Scarcity: Online Store Strategy 201 appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Making the Sale: Online Store Strategy 201 (Episode 172)
April 20, 2020 08:20 - 17 minutes - 26.4 MBYour online store is the last and most important point in the customer's journey. In the first episode of this 3-part mini-series, I cover how to set up your store site, optimize product pages, and gather the data you need to make smart strategic adjustments. The post Making the Sale: Online Store Strategy 201 appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
When to Use Facebook Ads: Social Strategy 201 (Episode 171)
April 06, 2020 10:04 - 14 minutes - 23.3 MBThere are two cases where it really makes sense to run a Facebook Ad. But it cannot be a standalone strategy. Let's look at what needs to be set up before you start running ads or boosting posts, so that you don't spend your money on useless "eyeballs." The post When to Use Facebook Ads: Social Strategy 201 appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
How to Support Small Businesses During the Coronavirus Crisis (Episode 170)
March 23, 2020 10:03 - 9 minutes - 15.3 MBMany of our favorite small businesses will not survive the pandemic. Now is the time to help our friends and neighbors who run small businesses, or we may lose them forever. Here are a few things we can do to help them weather the storm. The post How to Support Small Businesses During the Coronavirus Crisis appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
How Small Businesses Can Survive the Coronavirus Crisis (Episode 169)
March 16, 2020 10:10 - 11 minutes - 18.3 MBThe pandemic is having a huge impact on small businesses, including my own. Here are a few specific strategies to weather a prolonged downturn, and an offer to use what expertise and experience I have to help you directly, one-to-one, for free. The post How Small Businesses Can Survive the Coronavirus Crisis appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Small Groups vs. Large Followings: Social Strategy 201 (Episode 168)
March 09, 2020 10:10 - 12 minutes - 19.9 MBIn Episode 168, I question the concept of getting a large social media following. Large numbers of "eyeballs" often don't do us much good compared to the tight connections of smaller groups to cultivate an ardent community of supporters. The post Small Groups vs. Large Followings: Social Strategy 201 appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Domain Renewal Scams: How to Avoid Them (Episode 167)
February 24, 2020 11:20 - 10 minutes - 17.8 MBDomain scammers have upped their game. I encountered a new variant of the Domain Name Expiration Scam recently. Episode 167 is about how to spot this new strategy and what to do if you are targeted. The post Domain Renewal Scams: How to Avoid Them appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Measurement and Iteration: Social Strategy 201 (Episode 166)
February 10, 2020 11:10 - 17 minutes - 26.6 MBBy treating our marketing efforts like an experiment, we can set metrics, collect data, analyze the results, and then make the necessary adjustments. Episode 166 is about how to put a simple plan in action to get better results from your social campaigns. The post Measurement and Iteration: Social Strategy 201 appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Listening, Asking, Interacting: Social Strategy 201 (Episode 165)
January 27, 2020 11:07 - 15 minutes - 24.2 MBThe algorithms are working against us now. Episode 165 offers two strategies to adapt to the new, more restrictive world of social media marketing: How to do an end-run around the algorithms, and three steps to lean into what is still the best part of social. The post Rethinking Our Social Media Interactions: Social Strategy 201 appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Social Is Not What It Used to Be: Social Strategy 201 (Episode 164)
January 13, 2020 11:13 - 13 minutes - 21.3 MBThe glory days of social are over. Free organic reach is a thing of the past. What used to work is no longer effective. So, are there still ways for us to use social media to build relationships with an audience without having to pay-to-play? Of course there are. The post Social Is Not What It Used to Be: Social Strategy 201 appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
No One Wants to Read an Email Newsletter (Episode 163)
December 16, 2019 11:12 - 12 minutes - 20.7 MBEmail marketing is one of the most important tools for any small business. Can we come up with something other than "email newsletter" to call it, though? The post No One Wants to Read an Email Newsletter appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
Your Facebook Page Has Been Hacked (Episode 162)
December 02, 2019 11:19 - 12 minutes - 20.7 MBYour business is at risk if you don't have ownership of one of your most important assets: Your audience. While a Facebook Page is convenient for connecting with customers, what happens when your account gets hacked, deactivated, or deleted? This happened to a client of mine. The post Your Facebook Page Has Been Hacked appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.
List Hygiene and Maintenance: Email Marketing 201 (Episode 161)
November 18, 2019 11:11 - 19 minutes - 30.3 MBYou can't do good email marketing without maintaining a clean email list. Good list hygiene not only helps you save money, but it also helps you increase your open rate and click rate. The post List Hygiene and Maintenance: Email Marketing 201 appeared first on Control Mouse Media, LLC.